Friday 4 March 2016

Up early again (getting tired of this!) for transfer from the hotel to the ferry terminal.  Of course the usual procedures with passports etc and security checks for bags but once on board it was a very comfortable crossing to the lovely old Uruguayan town of Colonia-Sacramento.  We were met by a guide who walked us around the cobbled streets and quaint houses and then we had free time to explore a little more and enjoy a beer and a sandwich along the way.  It was a two hour bus ride to Montevideo and then two hours before boarding the bus again for the evening event.  This was at Juanico Winery, an hour or so away.  By the time we got there it was almost dark but we did see some vines up close, in fact tasted some grapes straight off the vine -they were very small and sweet and were a variety called Tannat but I have to say that they tasted better off the vine than in the bottle!!!!

We were 20 people at two round tables, the room could probably have held a couple of hundred people and the tables were set for a 5 course dinner with matching wines.  

Started with a  glass of bubbly to match camembert on bread with a dried apricot, along with 2 delicious oils with extra bread.  Then salmon with a chardonney, meat balls with pasta for the first red, beef with the second red and a port style wine to match a chocolate tart with ice cream.  By now I think we are almost done with exotic/rich food and crave for baked beans on toast!!!!!  Or at least that would suit me! But during the night we were surprised and entertained by a couple dancing the Tango!  They were amazingly good, they danced three numbers then took a few of our group up to dance!  Wish I'd had my camera, missed a great opportunity for some good shots.  Thankfully I wasn't invited to dance!!!

The pics below are in the old town of Colonia.